Einstein of the pitch

By Michael Ashcraft --

Even his shock of hair screams a young Einstein.

To see his speed, touch and vision for play it to see the simple elegance of solving cosmologies greatest mysteries with a formula E = mc².

Extraordinary Exjani Rojas led Lighthouse Christian Academy's to a 6-2 soccer victory Wednesday over Gorman Learning Center of Santa Clarita in a victory that felt like a tsunami.

By half time, the Saints were leading 5-0, with a hattrick from Exjani. He commandeered the midfield, set up plays, directed traffic, took and kept possession of the ball. He coached people and taught plays live on the pitch.

When he had no one to pass to, he scored himself.

It was exhilarating to watch. He's a soccer genius.

Hard-working midfielder Andrew Morales beat the defense on a through ball, which he masterfully diverted from the onrushing goalie to roll into the far post.

Zion Jenkins played sharp and fast to get on the end of three fine touch passes and beat the defender and goalie for another goal.

Only after Lighthouse let down its guard in the second half did the Lions roar.

Goalie Nile Hosni did not have much work to do in the first half and strung a hammock between the goal posts in the second half.

He was asleep when a Gorman player cocked and fired from distance. Zzzs were heading skyward and the ball headed net-ward.

Defender Morgan Miles, who had hounded attackers all game getting balls, lapse and centered a ball to a Lion for a second goal.

And the fourth Lighthouse goal? Who else? Exjani.

The Saints face Pilgrim School near Downtown Los Angeles Thursday. After an embarrassing loss last year, Pilgrim will be seeking revenge.